Ben Johnson has completely transformed the Chicago Bears’ offense into one of the NFL’s most explosive units. It’s worth noting that this franchise hasn’t fielded a top-10 offense since 2013—and only twice in the past three decades. Yet under Johnson’s direction, the Bears currently sit sixth in points scored and fourth in total yardage after eight games.
What makes that even more impressive is how he’s achieved it despite major obstacles: a midseason switch at left tackle, multiple injuries to key starters, and a rookie quarterback in Caleb Williams still learning on the job. Despite the chaos, Johnson has engineered a cohesive, dynamic attack—exactly what Chicago envisioned when they hired him.
Meanwhile, things haven’t been quite as smooth back in Detroit. The Lions’ new offensive coordinator, John Morton, who replaced Johnson in the offseason, is already facing scrutiny. Detroit’s offense exploded early in the year—averaging an astounding 38.4 points per game over the first five weeks—but the production has since slowed, and frustrations among fans are beginning to show. The 27-24 loss to Minnesota was a tipping point for many, as the offense looked disjointed and unprepared for what the Vikings threw at them.
Minnesota’s defense exploited a clear weakness, sending constant A-gap blitzes whenever Jahmyr Gibbs was on the field. That forced the young running back into blocking situations, which doesn’t play to his strengths. Even head coach Dan Campbell admitted the Lions didn’t handle those adjustments well, acknowledging that their offensive communication and adaptability must improve.
This, of course, only highlights how much Detroit misses Johnson’s in-game creativity. He demonstrated his brilliance again just last week with the Bears against the Cincinnati Bengals. When Caleb Williams struggled early, Johnson abandoned the original plan and shifted to a quick-pass strategy to build rhythm. The move paid off spectacularly, as Chicago erupted for 34 second-half points, including a 58-yard game-winning touchdown strike to Colston Loveland in the final moments.
Detroit remains a strong football team and should still contend for the postseason. However, at 5-3, they don’t quite resemble last year’s powerhouse version of themselves. There’s a noticeable spark missing—an edge that once made them feel unstoppable. That edge was Ben Johnson. His knack for adapting and maximizing the Lions’ offensive weapons made them a nightmare for defenses. Without him, Detroit is learning just how human they can be.
